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Edward Steichen: A New Exhibit

Gloria Swanson by Edward Steichen, Courtesy Reynolda House

Edward Steichen’s work captured our imagination nearly 40 years ago when we picked up a copy of his book, A Life in Photography (Doubleday & Co., 1963).

The scope of his work is remarkable, ranging from beautifully lighted portraits of statesmen and artists to fashion, landscape and still life images. Years ago, we were lucky enough to acquire, through a New York gallery, an original print of his evocative portrait of Greta Garbo which remains a source of inspiration for us to this day.

Steichen’s achievements were many. In 1902, he collaborated with Alfred Stieglitz to found the Photo-Secession, a movement dedicated to photography as a creative art. As chief photographer for Condé Nast, his work appeared in Vogue and Vanity Fair for over 15 years. Later, he conceived and created the most widely acclaimed exhibit in the history of photography, The Family of Man—a collection of hundreds of pictures by some 200 photographers from 70 countries, which was first shown at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. In March, 1961, the exhibition, Steichen the Photographer opened there, honoring his 82nd birthday. And, in 1962, Steichen became Director Emeritus of Photography at the Museum. He passed away in 1973.

We’re excited that the Reynolda House Museum of American Art in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, will be exhibiting Steichen’s work from February 23 until May 19, 2013. The exhibit, Star Power: Edward Steichen’s Glamour Photography, has been traveling internationally and features over 100 of the photographer’s images of luminaries from the worlds of politics, literature, fashion and the performing arts. The opening weekend will feature a concert of music in honor of George Gershwin. Numerous additional programs will be staged in conjunction with the exhibit. For more information, call 888-663-1149 or go to www.reynoldahouse.org.

We also highly recommend the book edited by Steichen’s wife, Joanna, titled: Steichen’s Legacy (Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 2000).

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